What Is The Cost Per Sq Ft To Build A Custom Home?

Cost Per Sq Ft Home BuildingAt Riteway Builders, we love sitting down with new clients to discuss how we can incorporate their dreams, wants, and needs into a new custom home.  During that conversation, almost without fail, we’ll get asked the age ol’ question… “What is the cost per sq ft to build a new home right now?”  Our response begins with a big deep breath, and perhaps a sigh,  because to provide an accurate answer, requires a lot of information and details regarding your specific project.  

It’s a loaded question, and we know that it won’t benefit you or us if we simply threw out some lowball figure or “best guess” on the cost per sq ft to build.  Simply multiplying the total sq ft of a house by a per sq price will not always provide an accurate cost estimate.  Please understand that we are not trying to be evasive if we don’t provide an immediate answer – we simply want to be able to provide an estimate that is as accurate as possible.  

For us, a more practical approach is to first start with a budget amount that you are comfortable with, and then work together to incorporate the wants and needs that will fit within those budget parameters.  

So what are some of the things that affect the price per square foot of building a new home? 

  • Size
  • Shape / Style
  • Building Site Conditions
    • Soil Types
    • Water Table
    • Drainage & Runoff
  • Driveway & Utility Lengths
  • Tap Fees / Well / Septic Costs
  • Building Location / Neighborhood
  • Construction Methods – Any non-standard construction practices? (extra insulation, 2×6 framing, specialized HVAC, LED lighting, etc…)
  • Building Material Grades / Quality (flooring, cabinets, countertops, siding, roof, windows, appliances, fixtures, etc..) 
  • Landscaping
  • Garage Size / Deck Size
  • Time Of Year
  • Market Conditions
  • Building Permits & Fees

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list of everything that affects the sq ft price, but it will give you an idea of what type of information is required to give a realistic cost to build.   The real estate industry is really hot right now, and there are some really good reasons why right now is a great time to consider building a custom home,  (see this blog post for details) especially in areas like Meridian, Eagle, Star, Middleton, and Emmett.   

If you are thinking about building a new home, and would like to discuss the costs of your specific project, please give us a call to schedule a meeting:

+1 (208) 963-0475

or Contact Us Online using the form to the upper right of this page!.